Exploring the Life and Legacy of Saint Thomas the Apostle: From Skeptic to Preacher
A Life of Faith and Service: The Legacy of Saint Hilary of Poitiers
Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash
Saint Hilary of Poitiers was a prominent theologian and bishop in the early Christian church. He is considered a Doctor of the Church and is widely recognized for his contributions to Christian doctrine and his defense of the Trinity. He is the patron saint of the Catholic diocese of Poitiers and is celebrated on January 13th each year.
Hilary was born in Poitiers, France, in the year 310. He was born into a pagan family, but through his studies and contemplation, he converted to Christianity. In 353, he was elected bishop of Poitiers and served in this role for the remainder of his life.
One notable event in Hilary's life was his defense of the Trinity against the Arian heresy. At the time, many Christians were advocating for a view of God that denied the divinity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Hilary vigorously opposed this view, arguing that the three persons of the Trinity were equal and eternal. His writings on this topic, including his masterpiece "De Trinitate," had a significant impact on the development of Christian theology and doctrine.
In addition to his theological contributions, Hilary also played an important role in the political landscape of his time. He was a vocal critic of the Roman emperor Constantius II, who was promoting Arianism as the official doctrine of the Roman Empire. Hilary's opposition to this policy led to his exile in Phrygia, where he continued to write and teach until he was able to return to Poitiers in 360.
Saint Hilary was known for his humility and his devotion to the poor. He was also a prolific writer, with many of his works surviving to this day. In addition to "De Trinitate," his other notable writings include "Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew" and "On the Councils."
Hilary died in 367 and was later canonized by the Catholic Church. His feast day is celebrated on January 13th, the date of his death. He also known as the patron saint of the diocese of Poitiers, and the patron saint of the Cursillo movement, a Catholic lay movement focused on spiritual growth and evangelization.
Recommended Stories
More Stories By :
About the Author
Catholic365.com is a Catholic-focused article and information portal from Catholic writers and bloggers who write about things Catholics are interested in, with 3 main categories - Faith, Life and What's Going On, from a perspective consistent with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. We strive to spread the word of God and the Catholic faith by highlighting both the articles and the writers through internet and social marketing campaigns. Our goal is to engage and support the Catholic faithful to evangelize to all Catholics using modern technology. Our mission originated with Pope Saint John Paul II's call to Catholics for a "New Evangelization".
